Despite defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 16-9 in Week 17, the Denver Broncos still missed out on a postseason berth.
Eliminating playoff contention may not be what the Broncos envisioned at the beginning of the new year.
Either way, the Broncos have made some decent progress under veteran head coach Sean Payton.
A win against the Las Vegas Raiders in the final game of the regular season would give Denver their first win since 2016.
Regardless of the final score in Week 18, Peyton gained momentum in his High City by miles.
Here are Payton and the Broncos’ four New Year’s resolutions for 2024.
Fixing the Quarterback Situation Ian Rapoport’s December 27 report on Russell Wilson being benched caused ripples throughout the NFL world.
Even with all the outside noise, backup Jarrett Stidham played “really calm,” Payton said in postgame comments on Dec.
31.
“I felt like you had more experience compared to other players who didn’t play as much time,” Payton told reporters.
“But I certainly didn’t feel that during the match.
He proved to be competent both inside and outside the group.
I think he pitched well for us.
Overall, I think it went pretty well.
Stidham was solid if unspectacular, completing 20 of 32 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown to Lil Jordan Humphrey.
Sportswriter Peter King said during a Dec.
29 appearance on Pro Football Talk that he believes Stidham will be the starter in 2024 unless he “absolutely stinks.
” Payton will likely stay with Stidham or add a familiar face like Jameis Winston in free agency.
Once the regular season is over, sorting out the quarterback situation has to be the Broncos’ top priority.
The Broncos added defensive reinforcements in light of their late progress, and through his first five weeks he last lost 70-20 against the Dolphins in Miami in Week 3.
They continued to play the worst defense in the NFL.
The Broncos then became opportunistic on defense starting in their Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
From Weeks 6 to 12, Denver forced a total of 17 turnovers, including 10 fumbles and seven interceptions.
During his six games, the Broncos allowed him 16.
5 points per game, but in his first five weeks he allowed 36.
2 points.
Overall, Denver allowed an average of 24.
1 points per game in 16 games.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has found a way to make his unit look competent.
Adding additions in free agency or the draft could help the unit make further progress in the second half of the season.
Find out if Jerry Jeudy has a long-term future in Denver.
Jeudy caught three balls for 54 yards against the Chargers, 41 of which came on a reception with 16 seconds left in the second quarter.
The fourth-year receiver failed to make much of an impact despite the absence of leading passing wideout Courtland Sutton.
Jeudy has just 51 receptions for 679 yards and one touchdown in 15 games this season, including 10 starts.
He hasn’t reached the 100-yard receiving mark since Week 18 of the 2022 season against the Chargers.
The Alabama native never eclipsed 1,000 yards in a season during his career and lived up to his status in the first round.
It didn’t matter who was under center this year, as Jeudy struggled to find consistent performance.
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